House Rock Valley Road

Hi,

Was recalling when I went down House Rock Rd near Page to scout some hiking spots. Sign says cars OK which kind of surprised me, but it also says impassable when wet. It was dry and I was in my gen 1 TRD Taco with worn all terrain tires.

So I checked out the Buckskin Gulch area. Saw lots of parked trucks and jeeps with guide advertisements. As I was heading back to my truck the gates of hell opened. Very close lightning strikes and pouring rain. I decided best to get out of there.

There is a slight grade coming out of the parking area and I started fishtailing all over the place. I could not believe what was happening, apparently rain makes that soil turn into very slippery mud, like ice. I could not keep the truck straight, it would slide into the slightest rut. I could barely make out a jeep in my rearview through the rain and they ended up in ditch but it was not a dangerous situation and nothing I could do to help anyhow. If you get out of the truck in those conditions you will be wearing mud snowshoes very quickly. I did make it out and it was mostly flat from there on out.

So I assume if you are caught there during rain you just have to try and get out or wait it out and hopefully the mud dries up a bit? It looked like most of the guides rigs were very capable but some grocery getter SUV's also.

Years later i still see some of that mud under my truck.